Go to the library or to a bookstore that sells children's books. Find picture books that help introduce space themes and rocket ships to children. Select picture books with vibrant illustrations, bouncy rhyme patterns and captivating storylines that will attract preschoolers. Some examples of books for preschoolers that teach them about rocket ships are "Roaring Rockets" by Tony Mitton and Ant Parker and "I Spy a Rocket Ship' by Dan Marzollo. Share picture books about rocket ships with preschoolers during story time.
Help children make a rocket by taping a paper cone on top of a plastic film canister with the lid size facing downward. Fill a cup with very warm water and cut a seltzer tablet in half. Take the rocket outside in an open area and allow the child to fill the film canister about half full with water. Ask him to drop in one of the seltzer tablet haves into the canister and quickly snap the lid on the canister. Place the rocket on the ground, lid side down and stand back. The rocket will fly into the air.
Encourage children to paint a toilet tissue tube any color they choose. Provide each child with a white paper circle that is twice the size of the top of the tube. Fold the circle in half and cut it half way through the center to create a cone. Help children glue the cone to the top tube. Cut red streamers into small strips and assist children with taping them to the bottom inside of the tube.
Add about 1 tablespoon of baking soda into a deflated balloon. Pour about 1 inch of vinegar into a small bottle with a narrow opening. Place the end of the balloon over the mouth of the bottle, but do not allow the baking soda to fall into vinegar until the class is ready for the reaction. When ready, raise the balloon and allow baking soda to fall into vinegar. As the reaction occurs and the gas rises, the balloon will blow up. Remove the balloon from the mouth of the bottle and the balloon will fly. Explain to children that when baking soda is mixed with vinegar, it gives off a gas called carbon dioxide that causes it to fly.